The vision on richmondfc.com.au earlier this week of the Tigers’ players jubilantly mobbing premiership coach Damien Hardwick, when they received the news of his three-year contract extension with the Club, was priceless proof of just how highly they regard him.

Star Richmond key defender Alex Rance has elaborated on the exceptional relationship that exists between Hardwick and the playing group at Tigerland, which was a key factor in the Club’s 2017 premiership triumph.

“I think connection is one thing which is really hard to manufacture . . . ‘Dimma’ always did have an amazing connection with the group, but it almost went to another level that we never really thought was possible,” Rance said on ‘Fox Footy’.

“So that improves an effort rating within each player because they have that connection with their coach.”